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Ultimate Guide to Name Variations Across Different Cultures

Learn what the same means in different languages and discover popular ethnic name variations and their origins around the globe.
Ultimate Guide to Name Variations Across Different Cultures
Updated: September 8, 2023
Fact checked by  Devika Tomar

Why is “Jacob” pronounced “Yakov” in many Slavic languages? How do you say “Catherine” in Portugal? Why does the simple name “John” look so strange in the Scandinavian languages?

And what might your favorite English name sound like in a different country such as Norway, Finland, Poland, or France?

Let’s have a look.

Related: 10 Fascinating Baby Name Traditions From Around the World

Are Names Different in Different Languages? 

Yes.

Why? We’re glad you asked.

Different languages have different phonologies, that is, different sounds and different rules about how to arrange them.

English, for example, allows a word to start with -st, while Spanish often prefers to put a vowel before this combination. This is why we have Steven in English and Esteban in Spanish.

Japanese, on the other hand, uses the -r and -l sounds very differently and doesn’t allow a consonant at the end of a word. This is why you might hear Daniel translated as Danieru in Japan.

And in some Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway, the j-sound is pronounced as i, giving us Johannes (pronounced yo-HAN-nes) for John.

This is one reason why the same name may look and sound so different in Switzerland, Russia, the Netherlands, Turkey, and so forth.

Are Names Different in Different Languages?

Immigration and Name Changes 

Sometimes, when people move to a country with a different language from their own native language, they may change their name so that it’s easier for people in their new country to pronounce it.

The Hindi name Ajay, for example, sounds like the English nickname “A.J.” Ibrahim, a popular name in Swahili, is a variation of Abraham. Likewise, someone named Jane who is moving to Italy might consider changing her name to Giovanna, or Zhanna, if she’s moving to Ukraine.

Same Name, Different Languages 

Now for the fun part: what do familiar names look like in different languages? You might be surprised by the changes familiar names go through in translation. It might also surprise you to learn that some popular names, like Jacob and James, are actually variations of the same name.

You might notice that we don’t include a lot of baby names that became popular after the 20th century. This is because modern names haven’t had enough time to spread and change across languages.

What is Jacob in other languages?  Well, first you need to understand how one name can have many variations depending on culture and country of origin. 

Boy Name Variations by Country and Origin 

Boy Name Variations by Country and Origin 

Here are a few of the most popular boy names with different versions and origins from around the world  

Aaron: Name Variations

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Exalted

Aaro (Estonian), Haruna (Fula), Harun (Indonesian), Aronne (Italian), Aronas (Lithuanian)

Adam: Name Variations

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Man

Aatami (Finnish), Akamu (Hawaiian), Adamo (Italian), Adao (Portuguese), Adan (Spanish), Adem (Turkish)

Alexander: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Protector

Iskandar (Arabic), Sikander (Bengali), Alexandre (French), Aleksandru (Romanian), Aleksandr (Russian. Nicknames: Alex, Alexei, Sasha), Alejandro (Spanish, Portuguese)

Andrew: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Masculine

Andreas (Danish), Andor (Hungarian), Anaru (Maiori), Andrei (Russian)

Anthony: Name Variations

Origin: Etruscan

Meaning: A Roman family name

Teun (Dutch), Ekaterini (Greek), Anakoni (Hawaiian), Antonio (Italian), Anto (Serbian), Anton (Swedish)

Arthur: Name Variations

Origin: Brythonic (Celtic) 

Meaning: Bear

Yase (Chinese),  Artur(Czech), Artturi (Finnish), Artur (Irish), Aseo (Korean), Arturo (Spanish)

Charles: Name Variations

Origin: Proto-Germanic

Meaning: Ruler

Karel (Dutch), Karl (German), Carlo (Italian), Charuzu (Japanese), Carolus (Latin), Karol (Polish), Carlota (Spanish)

Christopher: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Christ-bearer

Kristapor (Armenian), Kilikopela (Hawaiian), Kristof (Hungarian), Cristoforo (Italian), Hristofor (Romanian), Crisdean (Scottish Gaelic), Cristobal (Spanish), Cristoffis (Welsh)

David: Name Variations

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Beloved

Daud, Dawood, Dawud (Arabic), Taavet (Estonian), Daibhi (Irish), Tavita (Samoan)

Henry (Harry): Name Variations

Origin: Germanic

Meaning: Home Ruler

Endika (Basque), Henri (French), Hendrik (Dutch), Heinrich (German), Enrico (Italian), Enrique (Spanish)

Jacob (James): Name Variations

Origin: Greek, Hebrew

Meaning: To follow

Jaak (Dutch), Yage (Chinese), Seamas (Irish), Giacomo (Italian), Yakov (Hebrew, Russian), Jakab (Hungarian), Iakobus (Latin), Jaghub (Persian)

John: Name Variations

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Gracious

Yahya (Arabic), Ohannes (Armenian), Vanja (Croatian), Johann (German), Sean (Irish), Yohana (Hindi), Hannes (Icelandic), Giovanni (Italian), Yohanes (Indonesian), Jonas (Lithuanian), Ivan (Russian), Ian (Scottish), Evan (Welsh)

Joseph: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: He Will Add

Yusuf (Arabic), Josef (Icelandic ), Seosamh (Irish), Giuseppe (Italian), Jose (Spanish), Issouf (West African), Yossel (Yiddish)

Joshua: Name Variations

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Yahweh is Salvation

Isa (Arabic), Josu (Basque), Yeshua (Hebrew), Jesus (Spanish)

Leonard: Name Variations

Origin: Germanic

Meaning: Brave lion

Lennart (Danish), Lenni (Finnish), Leonardo (Italian), Leonardas (Lithuanian)

Mark: Name Variations

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Consecrated to the god Mars

Marc (French), Maleko (Hawaiian), Markus (Norwegian), Marek (Polish), Marcos (Spanish)

Michael: Name Variations

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Who is like God?

Misho (Bulgarian), Miska (Finnish), Mihalis (Greek), Mihai (Romanian), Miguel (Spanish)

Matthew: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Gift of God

Matevos (Armenian), Mathias (German), Matthieu (French), Matteo (Italian), Maciej (Polish), Matviy (Ukrainian)

Nicholas: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Victory of the People

Nikola (Bulgarian), Niko (Croatian), Klaus (German), Miklos (Hungarian), Niels (Icelandic), Nicolo (Italian), Klavs (Latvian), Nils (Swedish)

Paul: Name Variations

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Humble

Palle (Danish), Bulus (Hausa), Paolo (Italian), Pawel (Polish), Pablo (Spanish), Pavlo (Ukrainian), Phao-lo (Vietnamese)

Robert: Name Variations

Origin: Germanic

Meaning: Bright Fame

Roparzh (Breton), Róbert, Robi (Hungarian), Róbert (Icelandic), Roibeárd (Irish), Roberto, Berto (Italian), Roberts (Latvian), Robertas (Lithuanian), Hob, Hopkin (Medieval English), Hopcyn (Medieval Welsh), Hrōþiberhtaz (Old Germanic), Roberto (Portuguese), Rab, Rabbie (Scots), Raibeart (Scottish Gaelic), Róbert (Slovak), Roberto, Berto, Ruperto (Spanish)

Samuel: Name Variations

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God has heard

Ismail (Arabic), Shmuel (Hebrew), Samu (Hungarian), Sawyl (Welsh)

Theodore: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Gift of God

Toros (Armenian), Teo (Croatian), Tivadar (Hungarian), Fyodor (Russian)

Thomas: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Twin

Tomica (Croatian), Maas (Dutch), Tuomo (Finnish), Tamati (Maori), Tomasz (Polish), Tamhas (Scottish Gaelic)

William: Name Variations

Origin: Germanic

Meaning: Helmet of Will

Guillaume (French), Wilhelm (German), Liam (Irish), Guglielmo (Italian), Guillermo (Spanish)

Vincent: Name Variations

Origin: Roman

Meaning: To Conquer

Bikendi (Basque), Vinzenz, Vinzent (German), Vincenzo (Italian), Censu (Maltese), Vicente (Spanish)

Girl Name Variations by Country and Origin 

Girl Name Variations by Country and Origin 

If you’re looking for unique baby girl names, why not choose a variation from a different culture?

Agnes: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Chaste

Oanez (Breton),  Agnès, Inès (French), Agni (Greek), Agnieszka (Polish), Inez (Spanish), Nesta (Welsh)

Alexandra: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Another name for the goddess Hera

Alesya (Belarusian), Sashka (Bulgarian), Sandra (Polish), Alja (Slovene)

Ann, Anna: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: After the prophetess Hannah

Anika (German), Anouk (French), Hannah (Hebrew), Nainsi (Irish), Anita (Spanish), Henye (Yiddish)

Catherine: Name Variations

Origin: French

Meaning: Pure

Katya (Bulgarian), Trijntje (Dutch), Ekaterina (Greek), Kalena (Hawaiian), Katre (Lithuanian), Catalina (Spanish), Ina (Swedish)

Charlotte: Name Variations

Origin: French

Meaning: Ruler

Charlize (Afrikaans), Searlait (Irish), Carolina (Italian), Karola (Polish), Carlotta (Spanish), Lottie (Swedish)

Christina: Name Variations

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Christian

Hristina (Bulgarian), Kirsti (Finnish), Kristin (Icelandic), Tina (Italian), Kirsty (Scottish)

Claire: Name Variations

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Bright, clear

Klara (Croatian), Chiara (Italian)

Elizabeth: Name Variations

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: My God is an Oath

Alzbeta (Czech), Lisbet (Danish), Isabeau (Dutch), Babette (French), Liesel (German), Erszebet (Hungarian), Liana (Portuguese)

Emily: Name Variations

Origin: Roman

Meaning: Rival

Mille (Danish), Emmi (Finnish), Emilia (Italian), Milly (Norwegian), Milka (Polish)

Frances: Name Variations

Origin: German

Meaning: French person

Francoise (French), Ziska (German), Francisca (Portuguese), Paquita (Spanish)

Hannah: Name Variations

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Grace, favor

Anja (Danish), Annette (Franch), Anika (Polish), Anisoara (Romanian), Nandag (Scottish Gaelic), Hanne (Swedish)

Helen: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Torch

Ellen (Finnish), Nelly (French), Eleni (Greek), Lena (Hungarian), Ileana (Romanian), Alyona (Ukrainian)

Isabella: Name Variations

Origin: Medieval Occitan

Meaning: My God is an Oath

Zabel (Armenian), Liliana (Czech), Sabela (Galician), Belinha (Portuguese), Ysabel (Spanish)

Jane: Name Variations

Origin: French

Meaning: God is Gracious

Jeanette (Danish), Janine (Dutch), Jenny (Finnish), Siobhan (Irish), Giovanna, Gianna (Italian), Juana (Spanish), Siwan (Welsh)

Julia: Name Variations

Origin: Roman

Meaning: Related to Jupiter

Yuliya (Bulgarian), Lili (Hungarian), Giulia (Italian), Julieta (Portuguese), Julissa (Spanish)

Lily: Name Variations

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Lily flower

Lilliane (French), Liana (Georgian), Lilien (Hungarian), Lilja (Icelandic)

Lucy: Name Variations

Origin: Roman

Meaning: Light

Lucille (French), Lucia (Italian), Lucinda (Portuguese), Luz (Spanish), Liusaidh (Scottish Gaelic)

Margaret: Name Variations

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Pearl

Retha (Afrikaans), Margot (French), Gretchen (German), Mairead (Irish), Maisie (Scottish), Rita (Spanish), Marharyta (Ukrainian)

Mary: Name Variations

Origin: Egyptian

Meaning: Beloved

Mia (Danish), Mieke (Dutch), Mitzi (German), Malia (Hawaiian), Miriam (Hebrew), Mai (Norwegian), Mhairi (Scottish), Mele (Tongan)

Natalie: Name Variations

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Christmas Day

Natalia (German), Nathalie (French), Natacha (Portuguese), Natasha (Russian)

Regina: Name Variations

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Queen

Regine (French), Ina (German), Gina (Italian), Reina (Spanish)

Sarah: Name Variations

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Noblewoman

Salli (Finnish), Kala (Hawaiian), Sarika (Hungarian), Sarai (Spanish), Tzeitel (Yiddish)

Sophia: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Wisdom

Sonja (Danish), Fieka (Dutch), Viivi (Estonian), Soffia (Icelandic), Zosia (Polish)

Stephanie: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Crown, wreath

Stepanka (Czech), Kekepania (Hawaiian), Fanni (Hungarian), Stefania (Italian), Estefania (Portuguese)

Theresa: Name Variations

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Summer

Tena (Croatian), Tessa (Dutch), Therese (French), Thea (Norwegian), Terezija (Slovene)

So Many Names, So Little Time

This is just a sample of the variations on familiar names throughout the world. Want to learn more about baby names in different cultures? Check out our database of baby names by origin!

For more baby name inspiration check out these popular baby name lists:

Sources +

Jess Faraday

About Jess

Jess is a qualified teacher who is experienced in teaching different languages and linguistics… Read more

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